Soil survey area

Wyoming County, New York

Survey Area NY121• New York

The short version

The most common soil here is Erie, on about 8% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Langford and Bath come next.

About 31% of the land drains well, and 38% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 67% of it.

USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 5% of it.

Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.

The ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Wyoming County, New York, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Erie

8% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Langford

8% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Bath

8% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Mardin

7% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Volusia

6% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Howard

4% of the area

Gravelly loam topsoil · well drained

A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.

Alfisols

Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.

The biggest mapped areas

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Wyoming County, New York. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map Unit	Acres	Drainage	Hydro Group	Dwellings	Septic
Erie channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	23K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Langford channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	20K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mardin channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	17K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bath-Valois complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Conesus gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Erie silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bath-Valois complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Chippewa silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	11K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Volusia channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bath channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Volusia channery silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Langford channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Fremont silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Howard-Madrid gravelly loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Halsey loam	5K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chenango gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Mardin channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Alluvial land	5K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Fremont silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Howard-Madrid gravelly loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 96% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.

Look Up a Specific Address